Abstract: In a photocopier, a sheet hold down member with a rounded end, extends to the photosensitive drum surface from a resilient support, adjacent the edge of a pick-off blade, near where sheets conveyed to the drum surface transfer station arrive. Portions of the sheet adjacent the blade are held down by the member to contact the image bearing drum surface, thereby minimizing image lost to the sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for correcting a jam condition in a photocopier, the copier having a transfer station at which a developed image is transferred from a moving photosensitive surface onto a sheet material and a cleaning station having a cleaning blade bearing against the width of the photosensitive surface. The apparatus has energy transmitting and receiving elements which detect the presence of unremoved sheet material on the photosensitive surface between the transfer station and the cleaning station and provides for continued movement of the photosensitive surface until the sheet material strikes the cleaning blade. In this way, a buckle is formed in the sheet material between the cleaning station and the transfer station which facilitates removal of the sheet from the copier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a developer composition which in use exhibits improved depletion characteristics and produces copies of high image density. The developer comprises an organic carrier containing a pigment system, a charge control agent, and a "gelatex" which acts as a fixitive and a dispersant. The gelatex comprises a carrier-insoluble vinyl polymer and a multiply-branched, vinyl polymer which physically entraps or entangles the carrier-insoluble polymer and is on the borderline of solubility in the carrier. The gelatex component is present in the carrier as a stable dispersion and is substantially uniformly depleted as multiple copies are produced, resulting in a significantly reduced rate of image density deterioration as multiple copies are produced.

Abstract: In an optical imaging system for an electrophotographic copier, a photodetector intercepts a portion of unfocused light being reflected toward the photoconductive surface. An electronic circuit generates a biasing voltage for the copier development electrode which varies with the amount of light incident on the photodetector a set time after the photodetector receives a distinctively intense light pulse reflected from a high-reflectivity strip positioned ahead of the document being copied. The time delay insures that the light which determines the bias voltage has been reflected from the main body of the document. The light pulse from the high reflectivity strip can also independently actuate the copy paper feed mechanism to insure proper image registration.

Abstract: A sheet stripping assembly has a sheet removal blade moveable between a first position overlying a marginal portion of a photosensitive member of a copying apparatus and a second position in which it does not overlay the photosensitive surface marginal portion. Trip elements mounted on a moving platen control movement of the blade through a blade moving mechanism. At the end of a copy cycle, the blade is left in the second position.

Abstract: A photocopier tray cassette lift plate is lockable against the upward bias of its springs by a tab extending down to engage a lower latch member mounted to the tray base. The lower latch member is spring biased toward a position in which it may engage the tab, and is movable toward a disengaging position by a forwardly projecting surface that engages the photocopier frame upon insertion of the tray.

Abstract: A curved blade overlays the marginal portion of a photocopier drum photosensitive surface at the transfer station to engage copy sheets and direct them to a transport assembly removing the sheets from the transfer station. The blade is pivotally mounted at one end and connected to a reciprocating actuator at the other end. It is pivoted away from its overlaying position, after the transport assembly engages the leading corner of the sheet so that the sheet can then contact the marginal portion, and back to its overlaying position after the trailing edge of the sheet has left the surface of the drum. In one embodiment the actuator is mechanically responsive to the photocopier scanner. In another embodiment, the blade is pivotable about an intermediate portion, and the actuator is operated by a solenoid energizable by a switch at the appropriate times.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive surface of the rotating drums of photocopying machines. The cleaning assembly includes at least a cleaning roller and a cleaning blade which are moveable from an inoperative position spaced away from the photosensitive surface to an operative position in contact with the surface. In operation, the rotating drum begins its rotation while the roller and blade are in their inoperative position. The drum surface contacts liquid developer solution at the developing station. The roller and blade contact the drum after a predetermined time duration and therefore contact a wetted drum surface so as to avoid possible damage to the photosensitive surface and the cleaning members. A delay arrangement directs developer to the cleaning blade and roller when they are in their operative position contacting the drum.

Abstract: A tray with a ramp plate is insertable into a tray receiving assembly of a photocopier. The assembly includes an opening up through which a lift member is moveable for engaging the bottom of the ramp plate through an opening in the tray bottom when the tray is inserted. A locking bracket is pivotable to a position extending through the assembly opening to engage the bottom of the tray. A locking handle is linked to a shaft carrying the lift roller to hold the lift member in a disengaged position in which it keeps the locking bracket in a disengaged position. The base of the tray includes an elongate projection with a protruding upper surface about which the rear edge of the ramp plate is pivotable.

Abstract: Disclosed are blades oriented in a trailing configuration for cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drums of photocopying machines without marring the drum's surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the blade is constructed of layers of resilient material having different moduli of elasticity resulting in the blade's having greater resistance to transverse deformation than to deformation along the primary axis of the blade. In another embodiment, the blade comprises a mass of an elastic material having a partially hollow interior. The hollow interior results in a blade with differing moduli of elasticity in different directions.

Abstract: A support structure located in the interior of an electrophotographic copier photoconductive drum to guide removal of the drum from its rotational shaft while eliminating potentially injurious radial movement, has extender guides which can protrude from the end of the drum to provide an effective continuation of the guiding surface provided by the support structure. Each guide, upon which the inner surface of the drum will ride during removal, can, during normal operation of the copier, be held in an inoperative position within the drum interior. The outwardly protruding ends of the guides also can be beveled or tapered to facilitate reinstallation of the drum into its operating position within the copier.

Abstract: A container for disc storage and transportation includes nestable spacers with disc supporting and locating rims. Vertical posts with a plurality of vertically spaced slots rise through the central opening of the spacers and are engageable by the cross bar of the spacer when the spacer is roatably twisted. Each slot has a downwardly facing inclined surface for urging the engaged spacers downward.

Abstract: Disclosed is an accurately adjustable mount for supporting a corona assembly of a photocopying machine. The accurate adjustment of the separation between the corona wires and the photosensitive surface of the photocopying machine is accomplished by separate cam mechanisms located at either end of the corona assembly. Locking means are provided for securing the corona assembly after the proper separation has been established by the cam mechanisms.

Abstract: A metering roll, employed between the developing station and the transfer station of a photocopier which uses a liquid toner, controls the thickness of the liquid on the photosensitive drum surface when it is presented to the transfer station. The metering roll has a central metering portion and a distance control position at each end. The metering portion and the distance control portions are coaxial and have a fixed angular relationship with respect to each other. The metering roll distance control portions are urged against the moving copier photosensitive drum surface and rotate in the same angular direction as the drum. Thus the distance control portions engage drum surface edges in a sliding frictional relationship. The distance control portions are sized to maintain the central metering portion in a substantially constant spaced apart relationship to the drum surface and thereby tend to limit and control the thickness of developer on the drum surface at the transfer station.

Abstract: A metering roll, employed between the developing station and the transfer station of a photocopier which uses a liquid toner, controls the thickness of the liquid on the photosensitive drum surface when it is presented to the transfer station. Elements fixed between the drum and roll maintain the central metering portion in a substantially constant spaced apart relationship to the photosensitive drum surface and thereby tend to limit and control the thickness of developer on the drum surface at the transfer station. The elements have different surfaces in sliding, frictional contact with the drum and roll respectively. In one embodiment the elements are strips with opposite parallel surfaces, one in contact with the drum and the other in contact with the roll. In another, the ends of the strip are mounted on reels so that the strip may be moved to vary wear points on the strip if any appear.

Abstract: A metering roll, employed between the developing station and the transfer station of a photocopier which uses a liquid toner, controls the thickness of the liquid on the photosensitive drum surface when it is presented to the transfer station. Shoe-like elements fixed between the drum and roll maintain the central metering portion in a substantially constant spaced apart relationship to the photosensitive drum surface and thereby tend to limit and control the thickness of developer on the drum surface at the transfer station. One surface of the element substantially conforms to an arc of the drum surface and another surface defines a hole through which a portion of the metering roll passes.

Abstract: A stacking and interleafing device for rolls of pressure sensitive adhesive tape has an inclined table adapted to hold a row of the rolls carried in a spaced relationship on a mandrel. The table supports a plurality of upright, parallel plates that separate the adjacent rolls. The plates maintain the rolls in a spaced apart relationship as the mandrel is drawn clear of the rolls and as they advance down the incline. An escapement mechanism mounted over the table successively transfers one row of stripped rolls from a storage portion of the table to a feeder portion of the table subtended by a movable drop-off mechanism. Translation of the drop-off mechanism gravity feeds the rolls, one at a time, and without contact between the rolls, to a conveyor system. A reciprocating shuttle plate receives the rolls from the conveyor system and successively carries each roll to a mandrel mounted on a rotatable stack forming arm. As the shuttle returns to receive another roll, the preceding roll drops onto the mandrel.

Abstract: Adhesive composition comprising starch, dextrine and a polyacrylamide. The composition is carried by water; but, when the composition is applied to a substrate, the water is evaporated to produce a water activatable adhesive. Thus, the composition is suitable for application to a paper backing to form an adhesive tape.Method of preparing the adhesive from a dry polyacrylamide starting material includes the steps of first dissolving the dextrine and dry polyacrylamide in water and allowing the dextrine and polyacrylamide to mix. The starch is then added to that mixture. Preferably, the dextrine and polyacrylamide are mixed for at least a half-hour before the starch is added. To prevent the particles of dextrine and polyacrylamide from agglomerating together, it has been found advantageous to mix the dextrine and polyacrylamide in small batches. This step, however, is not critical.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic disc cartridge of the type in which a magnetic disc assembly is supported for rotation within cartridge covers. Various improvements in the disc cartridge facilitate the manufacture and use thereof. For example, the cartridge inside cover is permanently secured to the cartridge top cover by a series of integral hooks on the inside cover and mating hook anchors on the top cover; a simplified release lever serves to draw the magnetic disc assembly away from the bottom cover when removal of the bottom cover from the remainder of the cartridge is desired; an improved snubber assembly is provided for inhibiting rotation of the disc assembly when the release lever is actuated; and an improved design of the hub which forms a part of the magnetic disc assembly permits the distortion-free operation of the hub, even when made from a synthetic plastic material.